Australia has scored four restaurants in the world’s top 100 best restaurants and with British chef Heston Blumenthal scoring two places, it’ll temporarily get one more when third placed Fat Duck relocates to Melbourne.

Much lauded Chicago restaurant Alinea was rated number 1 for the third year in a row in the list by Elite Traveler magazine which is driven by customer feedback.

The city’s only three Michelin star restaurant, it is lauded for its avant-garde fine dining which is widely considered to be in a class of its own combining food, science and art in an 18 course tasting menu.

Alinea’s Head Chef Grant Achatz told Elite Traveler: “It’s always nice to be recognized by your industry or your guests at the restaurant. It’s always good for morale.”

“Although we can’t base our existence on accolades and recognition, it’s nice to have some reassurance that you’re doing the right thing and that people like what you’re doing.”

Melbourne’s Attica has been ranked at 56 with judges saying it was one of the world’s “most innovative new restaurants”. Vue de Monde close behind at 58.

Sydney’s Testuya’s came in at 60 with the judges saying the chef “continues to inspire, with his refined technique and pure flavors”, while Quay rates at 88.

New York’s DANIEL was number two, it’s third year in the top three, with Fat Duck third.

There were 16 new restaurants in the top 100 including Amber in Hong Kong, The Test Kitchen in Cape Town, Attica in Melbourne and Roberta Sudbrack in Rio de Janeiro.

The highest new entry is Northern Spain’s s Azurmendi which breaks straight into the top ten at number seven.